EC calls for videogame regulations

Retailers told to adopt code of conduct

By IAN MUNDELL

Europe's videogame industry must do more to protect minors from harmful content, European Commission regulators said Tuesday.

Retailers have been told to draw up and adopt a code of conduct on sales of vidgames to minors within two years.

Meanwhile, gamemakers must put more coin into promoting and updating the Pan-European Games Information age rating system, now operating in 20 European nations.

Both industry and national authorities have been told to cut the confusion caused by parallel age rating and classification systems.

"Videogames have become a strong pillar of Europe's content industry and are experiencing booming sales," said media commissioner Viviane Reding. "This is welcome but implies greater responsibility for the industry to ensure that parents know what kind of games their children play."

The Commission estimates that the European games industry will earn €7.3 billion ($11.7 billion) by the end of 2008.

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